In the last quarter, Zhang Zhiyuan rested off the court, and Kobe led the team to play for a while.
Jackson did not ask Kobe to win much, as long as Kobe could maintain his current lead.
But Kobe was unwilling to give in. He wanted to prove that he could win points when leading the team.
With this mentality, Kobe played very hard after coming on the court, harder than he had in the first three quarters.
Not only does he work hard on offensive positions and breakthroughs, he also locks down his opponents on the defensive end and helps his teammates defend from time to time.
The Nuggets had no fighting spirit to begin with, and they couldn't withstand Kobe's desperate style of play.
After only 3 minutes of play, the score difference reached 20 points. New
Then Zhang Zhiyuan was also substituted.
If you don't compete, it won't work. If you don't participate in the competition, it will cost you money.
As one of the two core players, Zhang Zhiyuan's playing time must not be too little, otherwise the fans will not be happy.
Changing the core when leading by 20 points is simply killing everything.
George Karl was very angry, and the consequences were helpless.
He could only shout at the players and ask them not to give up.
Anthony and Iverson were unhappy after hearing this. Neither of them were obedient.
Back on the court, the two continued to go their own way, exerting strength on the offensive end and paddling on the defensive end.
It’s not even paddling, it’s just not working hard enough.
The two bosses have this attitude, and other role players are naturally powerless to change this.
As a result, the game quickly entered garbage time.
When the score difference reached 26 points, George Karl replaced both Anthony and Iverson.
Then the Lakers also replaced their main players, and the substitutes from both teams played the last few minutes.
At the end of the game, 100 to 124, the Lakers beat their opponents by 24 points.
In terms of statistics, Iverson made 10 of 24 shots and scored 26 points. Anthony made 10 of 24 shots and scored 25 points. Together, they scored 51 points, which was lower than their average.
However, this is because the playing time is relatively short. If they are not replaced early, they can still achieve average data.
Jr. Smith scored 12 points, Kleiza had 11 points, and Martin had 10 points. A total of 5 Nuggets scored in double figures.
At first glance it looked like the team was playing well, but in reality it was a disastrous defeat.
For the Lakers, Kobe played only 32 minutes, making 12 of 22 shots, 2 of 5 three-pointers, and 7 of 8 free throws. He scored 33 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 assist very efficiently.
Zhang Zhiyuan played 30 minutes, making 11 of 20 shots, 6 of 10 three-pointers, 2 of 2 free throws, and scored 30 points, 3 rebounds and 5 assists.
This is the reason why the Nuggets failed miserably. The Lakers' efficiency was too high.
If Jackson hadn't replaced the main force early, the Lakers would have scored at least 140 points in this game.
Except for Double Star, everyone else also performed well.
Odom is 5 of 8, Fisher is 2 of 3, Ariza is 4 of 9, Bynum is 4 of 8...
The team's overall shooting percentage is as high as 53%.
At the end of the game, the fans at the scene burst into cheers and carnival.
Winning was within their expectations, but they didn't expect to win so much. This means that the team's strength is one or two levels higher than their opponents, which means that there is no suspense in the next game.
How happy Lakers fans are, how painful Nuggets fans are.
By the way, they were also disappointed with the two-gun combination of Anthony and Iverson.
Although the firepower of this combination is second only to the Lakers' two-star combination in the league, the team just can't fight a tough battle.
Last season we were eliminated in the first round, and this season we will basically be eliminated in the first round.
The problem is that they traded Iverson to win the championship. If they were eliminated in the first round in a row, how could they even talk about winning the championship?
"It turns out that offense and defense are equally important and both are indispensable."
Buckley commented.
The previous view was that defense wins the championship. After the Rockets won the championship with their sharp offense last season, there is another argument that offense wins the championship.
Now Barkley is offering a new perspective, believing that offense and defense are equally important.
"Congratulations to the Lakers for winning the first game, let's look forward to the next games."
Smith.
At the post-game press conference, Iverson and Anthony did not admit defeat.
"This is just the first game. This is the Lakers' home court. Losing doesn't mean we have no chance..."
Anthony had a lot of reasons, but unfortunately they were all mere words.
The fans' eyes are sharp, even the Nuggets fans have no hope for them.
The expectation of Nuggets fans now is just to win one game and not be swept.
On the 23rd, the playoffs continued.
The Cavaliers continued to play against the Wizards at home, and then slaughtered their opponent by 30 points 116-86.
In this game, the Wizards players collectively performed abnormally. The team's shooting percentage was as low as 37%. The 86 points were all obtained by accelerating the pace and increasing the number of rounds.
This also resulted in the Cavaliers scoring more points.
James made 11 of 22 shots and scored 32 points including free throws, which was an outstanding performance.
The Magic beat the Raptors, 104 to 103, and narrowly won by one point.
In this game, the role player Kapono showed his prowess. He made 8 of 12 shots and 6 of 8 three-pointers. He scored 22 points very efficiently.
In the fourth quarter, the Raptors were once behind by 10 points. Kapono hit two consecutive three-pointers and chased by 6 points, shocking the Magic into a cold sweat.
However, in the last minute, Kapono encountered strict defense and missed a key shot.
After the game, the media dubbed Kapono the static Zhang Zhiyuan, which means that without confrontation, Kapono is as terrifying as Zhang Zhiyuan.
However, once faced with severe protection, Kapono becomes Kapono.
This evaluation is a bit ridiculing, but being able to compare with Zhang Zhiyuan is also a kind of recognition.
The Magic still relied on Howard to win, making 12 of 17 shots and scoring 29 points and 20 rebounds.
Some media said that Warcraft can replace James alone.
In the Western Conference, the Suns played against the Jazz at home, losing the game 99-102, and tied with the Jazz 1-1.
In this game, the Suns players had a bad touch. To be precise, Barbosa had a bad touch and shot 0-for-7. As long as he made one or two, the Suns would win.
It's a pity that there is no if in the game.
The Rockets played the Hornets and lost the game 90-96 and fell behind 0-2.
There's nothing much to say about this, it's just that the strength is not as good as the opponent's, and Yao Ming can't stand alone.
24th.
The Pistons defeated the Pacers 104-88 and tied the score 1-1.
Accidents are called accidents because they don't happen often.
The Pacers defeated the Pistons by accident in the last game. Both sides showed their true level in this game, and the Pacers were immediately in trouble.
The Celtics defeated the Hawks again at home 96-77. The 77 points was also the lowest score in the playoffs this season. The Celtics couldn't defend them.
Seeing this result, Zhang Zhiyuan was a little surprised.
He remembered that the Celtics' promotion journey this season was not smooth, and they reached the tiebreaker with the Hawks in the first round.
But why have the Celtics won two games in a row now, and both times by big margins?
Could it be that this is the butterfly effect brought about by oneself?
Although he was a little surprised, Zhang Zhiyuan didn't pay too much attention.
In the Western Conference, in the second game of the Bulls-Horse game, the Spurs beat the Mavericks 102-96 again, taking a 2-0 lead.
Josh Howard, Stackhouse, and Kidd made a combined 10 of 30 shots, with a shooting percentage of 33.3%.
Nowitzki made 7 of 11 shots and scored 27 points with a large number of free throws. Although this data is beautiful, it cannot lead a group of cheaters.
Duncan is still strong on the Spurs' side, dominating the paint with 18 points and 17 rebounds.
The Mavericks focused too much on defending Duncan, but Parker went berserk again and scored 32 points.
After two games, the media unanimously believed that the Mavericks were out early and that Popovich could not overturn a 2-0 lead.
In the second game of the Lakers vs. Nuggets game, the Lakers won again.
127 to 119.
The Nuggets played better in this game than in the first game, but it was useless. They still couldn't limit the Lakers' scoring.
In this game, Zhang Zhiyuan made 6 of 11 shots, 3 of 7 three-pointers, and 16 of 18 free throws. He scored 31 points. The number of free throws broke his personal record, and it was doubled.
Previously, his highest number of free throws in a single game was only 7. I don't know why the Nuggets went crazy in this game. They would rather let Zhang Zhiyuan take free throws than let Zhang Zhiyuan shoot.
In the end, the Lakers won, but Zhang Zhiyuan was not very happy.
He received many slaps on his face and arms, and his arms were all red.
He couldn't protest yet, after all, Zhang Zhiyuan was very profitable in the eyes of others.
If it were any other player who could exchange beatings for free throws, they would definitely be happy to do so.
On the 25th, the Cavaliers played their third game against the Wizards, and ended up losing 72-108, leading by a huge score of 2-1.
They beat their opponent by 30 points in the last game, but lost to their opponent by 36 points this time, which left the fans puzzled.
I have seen ups and downs in status, but I have never seen such a big ups and downs.
There are even some fans who like conspiracy theories throwing out various speculations, such as betting companies rigging the game, the league trying to sell more tickets, etc.
It sounds reasonable at first glance, but it doesn't stand up to scrutiny.
The Magic won steadily against the Raptors, leading 3-0.
The Suns challenged the Jazz away from home and won the game 120-101, taking a 2-1 lead.
The state of the Sun also fluctuates a bit, and winning or losing depends on your hand.
The Rockets faced the Hornets at home and lost again, falling behind 0-3, basically being eliminated.
Some Chinese fans are disappointed, but most fans don't care, because there are still Lakers games to watch, and the Rockets are no longer their only choice.
On the 26th, the playoffs continued.
The Pistons lost to the Pacers 75-95, falling behind 1-2.
This is the most surprising matchup so far. No matter from any angle, it seems that the Pistons should crush their opponents.
But the result was that the Pistons fell behind and the Pacers became the dark horses.
And Danny Granger also showed his star status in advance, averaging 24.5 points and 6.4 rebounds per game in the playoffs. This data is quite valuable.
Just when fans and experts were still lamenting the Pacers' dark horse, the Celtics were not to be outdone and presented a surprise to the fans.
The Celtics lost the third game against the Hawks 93-102, leading by a huge score of 2-1.
Garnett played very well in this game, with 32 points and 10 rebounds. Unfortunately, Pierce and Ray Allen were far behind each other, and they combined for 10 of 28 shots.
The Hawks are blooming collectively, Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, and Horford are 20.
Hawks fans are extremely excited, because these three people are very young, and Josh Smith and Horford have great room for improvement. As long as they grow up and add Joe Johnson, the future is bright.
The Spurs challenged the Mavericks on the field and won another game, with a big score of 3-0, and promotion was in sight.
At 7 p.m., Game 3 between the Lakers and Nuggets begins.
This game is the Nuggets' home court, and they have a slight advantage.
In the locker room before the game, Iverson tried to motivate his teammates. "The Pacers won, and the Hawks also won. If they can win, so can we, not to mention we are much better than the Pacers and the Hawks."
Everyone was not very excited when they heard this. Although they were better than the Pacers and Hawks, the Lakers were also better than the Pistons and Celtics.
Furthermore, even if you can occasionally win one game, it is impossible to win four games.
In short, although no one said it with their mouths, in their hearts they already acquiesced in the outcome of being eliminated in the first round.
Now that they are certain to lose, they must start planning for their own interests.
The Nuggets have the third highest salary in the league this season. The team has Iverson, Anthony, and Martin with three maximum salaries. Camby's annual salary is as high as tens of millions. The team's salary is completely locked.
Players like Jr. Smith and Kleiza who have performed well this season are unlikely to be willing to stay with the Nuggets and take low-paying contracts.
If you want a big contract or leave, you naturally have to perform better and have better data.
Players enter and warm up.
Commentators from major TV stations took the time to analyze the game situation.
"Charles, do you think home court advantage can help the Nuggets win the game?"
Smith asked.
"I think it's very difficult, very difficult. In contrast, Zhang Zhiyuan is not the kind of player who relies on free throws..."
Buckley said.
"But he took 16 free throws in the last game."
Smith interrupted.
"Shut up, you can't use one game as an exception. This season, Zhang Zhiyuan averaged only 3.6 free throws per game, ranking first in the scoring list.
Among the top 30 players, the number of free throws is last..."
Buckley presented the facts and reasoned, and finally 'convinced' Smith.
"So, the Nuggets are still going to lose?"
Smith asked.
"I can't say this 100%. What if the Nuggets feel good but the Lakers don't feel good. This kind of thing happened yesterday and today."
Buckley said.
Amid their chatter, the game begins.
The Lakers still have their regular lineup, Fisher, Kobe, Zhang Zhiyuan, Hayes, and Bynum.
The Nuggets have changed their formations again and no longer have two point guards, which is giving away points.
Their starters are Iverson, Smith, Anthony, Kenyon Martin, and Camby.
The annual salary of this starting team is 59 million, which is higher than the entire Magic, Hawks, Grizzlies, and Bobcats teams.
In comparison, the Lakers' starting lineup only has 46 million.
Fortunately, the commentators and guests from major TV stations did not analyze the salaries of the two teams, otherwise Nuggets fans would be even more worried.
The two teams jumped the ball, and Camby once again gave the ball to his side. He has defeated Bynum three times in a row.
It's a pity that Nuggets fans didn't react too excitedly.
After all, Camby only has this kind of ability left and cannot play a key role in other aspects.
In the first two games, Camby only had 3.5 points and 11 rebounds, shooting 30% from the field. Those who didn’t know thought he was possessed by Big Ben. Due to various problems, the address has been changed. Please save the new address to avoid getting lost.
